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Airport unveils $4.4M Public Safety building

Wendi Sparks, left, operation specialist with Asheville Regional Airport, gives a tour of the communications center during an open house of the airport's new Department of Public Safety facility on Wednesday.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Molly McGowanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 6:56 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 6:56 p.m.

Less than two weeks after breaking ground on its massive runway project, Asheville Regional Airport has opened its $4.4 million Department of Public Safety building.

Airport officials used the Jaws of Life to snip “Caution” tape Wednesday afternoon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, effectively opening the facility that replaces its 40-year-old predecessor.

Located on top of a hill adjacent to the old building, the airport's new Department of Public Safety building is larger — with five apparatus bays instead of four — and has an improved line of sight to the airfield, said Tina Kinsey, director of marketing, public relations and air service development.

“We're higher, for one,” said Public Safety Chief Kevan Smith.

He said the height, direct access to the airfield and expanse of windows facing the airfield give public safety officers improved visuals.

“We have more staff members and larger equipment,” said airport Executive Director Lew Bleiweis.

As an airport grows, Bleiweis explained, the Federal Aviation Association requires additional equipment, based on the largest aircraft that frequents the airport and how often that type of aircraft lands.

Smith said that over the years, the equipment itself has grown in capability and size, hence the move to a larger facility.

“We have infrared cameras and thermo imaging devices now,” he said, adding that the latter can be used to locate hotspots within an aircraft.

That's in addition to the department's three neon yellow aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles, two trailers used to haul supplies and three police vehicles.

The department has seen a growth in personnel as well, adding three team members. And, Smith said, those additional three team members made quite the difference.

“It allowed us to put an extra person on patrol on each shift,” he said.

Public Safety Officer Tristan Stroupe said the department runs four shifts per day, with three designated public safety officers and one firefighter per shift.

“We are cross-trained in firefighting and emergency services,” Smith said. “We have at least one EMT on duty at all times.”

The Department of Public Safety's new building has four dormitory areas to accommodate the officers and firefighters changing shifts, as well as a fitness room and full kitchen.

Smith said the hardware and software for the department's communications center has all been upgraded, and more CCTV cameras have been added for increased security.

The department also provides mutual aid to local law enforcement agencies in both Henderson and Buncombe counties, Smith said. In case of large fuel spills, the aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles are especially useful, he added.

“We provide heavy blankets of foam,” he said, explaining the vehicles carry Class B foam used on fuel fires. “We carry a lot more of it at one time.”

“We're a very small department,” Smith said. “But we have a very large clientele.”

<p>Less than two weeks after breaking ground on its massive runway project, Asheville Regional Airport has opened its $4.4 million Department of Public Safety building.</p><p>Airport officials used the Jaws of Life to snip “Caution” tape Wednesday afternoon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, effectively opening the facility that replaces its 40-year-old predecessor.</p><p>Located on top of a hill adjacent to the old building, the airport's new Department of Public Safety building is larger — with five apparatus bays instead of four — and has an improved line of sight to the airfield, said Tina Kinsey, director of marketing, public relations and air service development.</p><p>“We're higher, for one,” said Public Safety Chief Kevan Smith. </p><p>He said the height, direct access to the airfield and expanse of windows facing the airfield give public safety officers improved visuals.</p><p>“We have more staff members and larger equipment,” said airport Executive Director Lew Bleiweis. </p><p>As an airport grows, Bleiweis explained, the Federal Aviation Association requires additional equipment, based on the largest aircraft that frequents the airport and how often that type of aircraft lands. </p><p>Smith said that over the years, the equipment itself has grown in capability and size, hence the move to a larger facility.</p><p>“We have infrared cameras and thermo imaging devices now,” he said, adding that the latter can be used to locate hotspots within an aircraft.</p><p>That's in addition to the department's three neon yellow aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles, two trailers used to haul supplies and three police vehicles.</p><p>The department has seen a growth in personnel as well, adding three team members. And, Smith said, those additional three team members made quite the difference.</p><p>“It allowed us to put an extra person on patrol on each shift,” he said. </p><p>Public Safety Officer Tristan Stroupe said the department runs four shifts per day, with three designated public safety officers and one firefighter per shift. </p><p>“We are cross-trained in firefighting and emergency services,” Smith said. “We have at least one EMT on duty at all times.”</p><p>The Department of Public Safety's new building has four dormitory areas to accommodate the officers and firefighters changing shifts, as well as a fitness room and full kitchen.</p><p>“We also have a centralized, state-of-the-art ... communications center,” said Doug Tate, vice chair of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority Board.</p><p>Smith said the hardware and software for the department's communications center has all been upgraded, and more CCTV cameras have been added for increased security.</p><p>The department also provides mutual aid to local law enforcement agencies in both Henderson and Buncombe counties, Smith said. In case of large fuel spills, the aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles are especially useful, he added. </p><p>“We provide heavy blankets of foam,” he said, explaining the vehicles carry Class B foam used on fuel fires. “We carry a lot more of it at one time.”</p><p>“We're a very small department,” Smith said. “But we have a very large clientele.”</p><p>Reach McGowan at molly.mcgowan@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7871.</p>